Quick connecting coupling

ABSTRACT

A quick connecting coupling comprising a first member having an opening therethrough providing a fluid passage. The first member has a noncircular recess at one end of said opening. A second member having a projection with a noncircular external configuration extends into the recess of the first member and sealing means are provided between the first member and said projection of the second member. The first member has spaced peripheral grooves a portion of which communicate with the opening therethrough. The second member has an annular peripheral groove therein aligned with the spaced peripheral grooves and a retaining ring having spaced legs is positioned in said spaced grooves of said first member and has portions thereof extending into said peripheral groove of the second member. The retaining ring has an encircling portion surrounding the projection and interposed between the first member and the second member. The retaining ring includes connecting portions extending from the ends of said encircling portion to the ends of the legs respectively.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Richard Stuart Hutt Adrian, Mich.[21] Appl. No. 81,455 [22] Filed Oct. 16, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 21,1971 [73] Assignee Primore Sales, Inc.

Adrian, Mich.

[54] QUICK CONNECTING COUPLING 13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl251/148, 285/305 [51] Int. Cl F161 37/28 [50] Field oiSearch 251/148;62/299; 285/305, 308, 321, 276

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,369,687 2/1921 Martin285/321 X 3,198,480 8/1965 Morse 251/148 3.314.696 4/1967 Ferguson etal. 285/305 X Primary ExaminerWilliam R. Cline Attorney-Barnes,Kisselle, Raisch & Choate ABSTRACT: A quick connecting couplingcomprising a first member having an opening therethrough providing afluid passage. The first member has a noncircular recess at one end ofsaid opening. A second member having a projection with a noncircularexternal configuration extends into the recess of the first member andsealing means are provided between the first member and said projectionof the second member. The first member has spaced peripheral grooves aportion of which communicate with the opening therethrough. The secondmember has an annular peripheral groove therein aligned with the spacedperipheral grooves and a retaining ring having spaced legs is positionedin said spaced grooves of said first member and has portions thereofextending into said peripheral groove of the second member. Theretaining ring has an encircling portion surrounding the projection andinterposed between the first member and the second member. The retainingring includes connecting portions extending from the ends of saidencircling portion to the ends of the legs respectively.

PATENTED M821 B71 SHEET 1 OF 2 FIGJ LWENTOR gjCHARD S. HUTT ATTORNEYSQUICK CONNECTING COUPLING This invention relates to couplings andparticularly to couplings for attaching a refrigeration valve to arefrigeration unit or for coupling two tubing sections to one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In coupling refrigeration valves andrefrigeration units, it has been common to utilize threaded connectorssuch as shown in the US. Pat. Nos. to Morse, 3,091,945 and 3,198,480.Such a connector has proved satisfactory especially where it is desiredto change the direction in which the tube attached to the valve extendswith respect to the refrigeration unit.

However, connection by utilizing a threaded connection requires time andthe use of tools.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide a quickconnecting coupling wherein the connection between a valve and arefrigeration unit or between two tubing sections can be achievedquickly; wherein axial rotation between the parts that are coupled isprevented; wherein the direction of a tubing with respect to thecoupling can be adjusted and set during the making of the coupling;wherein the coupling is maintained in connected position and preventedfrom accidental disconnection without the use of a specific tool;wherein the coupling is achieved quickly without excessive labor;wherein the use of gaskets interposed between the members is obviated;which coupling avoids the use of machine surfaces to provide proper sealbetween the parts; and which can be readily made at low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, the quickconnecting coupling comprising a first member has an openingtherethrough providing a fluid passage. The first member has anoncircular recess at one end of said opening. A second member having aprojection with a noncircular external configuration extends into therecess of the first member and sealing means are provided between thefirst member and said projection of the second member. The first memberhas spaced peripheral grooves a portion of which communicate with theopening therethrough. The second member has an annular peripheral groovetherein aligned with the spaced peripheral grooves and a retaining ringhaving spaced legs is positioned in said spaced grooves of said firstmember and has portions thereof extending into said peripheral groove ofthe second member. The retaining ring has an encircling portionsurrounding the projection and interposed between the first member andthe second member. The retaining ring includes connecting portionsextending from the ends of said encircling portion to the ends of thelegs respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a part sectional view of a quickconnecting coupling embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of a portion of one of the parts shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of another part shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the coupling shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG.1.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a modified form part.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a modified form of coupling.

DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, the quick connecting coupling embodyingthe invention is shown in the connecting of refrigeration valve 10 and arefrigeration unit 11. Refrigeration valve 10 is of the safety shutofftype and includes an axially movable member 12 that is rotated to moveit axially to open and close fluid communication. The valve 10 includesa projection 13 that is adapted to be coupled to a member or spud 14.Spud 14 is shown as being part of cylinder head 15 and is mounted on therefrigeration unit by bolts 16 (FIG. 2).

The member 14 includes an opening 17 that extends therethrough andprovides for communication of fluid such as refrigerant. Similarly, theprojection 13 includes an opening 18 which is aligned with the opening17.

The opening 17 includes a first noncircular portion 19 adjacent its freeend, herein shown as hexagonal, an inwardly tapered frustoconicalportion 20 and a slightly inwardly tapered generally cylindrical portion21. The projection 13 includes generally complementary external portionsincluding a noncircular portion 22, an inwardly tapered portion 23 and acylindrical portion 24.

A seal is provided between the projection 13 and the member 14 by rubberO-rings 25 that are provided in .grooves 26 in the periphery of thecylindrical portion 24 of projection 13 and engage the surface portion21.

A retaining ring 27 of metal spring material is provided and has spacedlegs 28 that extend into opposed grooves 29 in the periphery of themember 14. The grooves 29 communicate with the surface 19 as at 30. Theprojection 13 includes a cylindrical groove 31 having a cylindrical baseand sidewalls at a right angle to the base. Intermediate arcuateportions 32 of legs 28 extend into and engage the groove 31. When theretaining ring 27 is in the untensioned condition as shown in FIG. 3,the distance D between the inner surfaces of the portions 32 of the legsis slightly less than the diameter of the base of the groove 31.

The retaining ring 27 includes an encircling portion 33 that encirclesthe projection 13 and has ends 34 which are spaced from one another adistance X, that is less than the diameter of the groove 31. The ends 34of the encircling portion 33 are connected by intermediate portions 35to the ends 36 of the legs 28. The free ends of the legs 28 flairoutwardly as shown in FIG. 3.

In use, the retaining ring 27 is initially placed on the spud or member14 with the legs 28 engaging the grooves 29, and the encircling portion33 overlying the end of the member 14.

When it is desired to make the connection, the projection 13 is merelymoved axially into the opening 17. The tapered surface 23 engages theintermediate portions 32 forcing them outwardly until the groove 31 isaligned with the legs 28 whereupon the legs 28 snap inwardly under theaction of the spring force of the material into the grooves to lock theprojection in position.

As shown in FIG. 4 in broken lines, since the portion 19 of meter 14 andthe portion 22 of projection 13 are hexagonal, it is possible toselectively position the valve 10 so that it extends axially at adifferent angle to the opening 17 as may be required in order to directthe tubing 37 in the desired direction.

When in position, the encircling portion 33 holds the legs 28 and beinginterposed between the body 10 and the spud 14 prevents disconnectingthe coupling except when a tool is used to spread the legs 28 apart.

As shown in FIG. 2, portions 38 of the projection or spud 14 are cutaway in order to provide access to the bolts 16.

Where the projection or spud 14 is made an integral part of the unit,the sides need not be cut away as shown at 14' in FIG. 6.

A similar coupling arrangement may be utilized for connecting portionsof tubing by making the projection 13 so that it can be attached to alength of tubing and making the member 14 so that it can be attached toa length of tubing as shown in FIG. 7.

I claim:

1. In a quick connecting coupling, the combination comprising a firstmember having an opening therethrough providing a fluid passage,

said first member having a noncircular recess at one end of saidopening,

a second member having a fluid passage therethrough,

said second member having a projection with an external configuration,

a portion of said external configuration having the noncircular crosssection of said recess in said first member and being adapted to beengaged therein,

sealing means between said opening and said projection of said secondmember,

said first member having spaced peripheral grooves a portion of whichcommunicate with the opening therethrough and are arranged transverselythereto,

said second member having an annular peripheral groove therein adaptedto be aligned with said spaced peripheral grooves when the members areengaged,

a retaining ring having spaced legs positioned in said spaced grooves ofsaid first member and having portions thereof extending into saidperipheral groove of said second member,

said retaining ring having an encircling portion surrounding theprojection and interposed between the first member and the secondmember,

said retaining ring including connecting portions extending from theends of said encircling portion to the ends of the legs respectively.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said projection includesa generally cylindrical end portion and an out wardly tapered portionextending to said noncircular portion.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said sealing meanscomprises flexible sealing rings interposed between the cylindricalportion of said second member and a mating cylindrical portion of saidfirst member.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the noncircular recessand the noncircular portion are polygonal.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said peripheral groovein said projection has a generally cylindrical base and sidewalls atgenerally right angles to said base.

6. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said portion of saidlegs which engages the peripheral groove are arcuate.

7. The combination set for-iii in claim 2 wherein said encirclingportion of said retaining ring has spaced ends, the ends of saidencircling portion being spaced from one another a distance less thanthe diameter of the base of the peripheral groove in said projection.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said noncircular recessand noncircular portion of said projection are hexagonal.

9. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first member ismounted on a refrigeration unit,

said second member comprising a refrigeration valve including a valvebody extending at an angle to said projection,

said valve body having a fluid passage therein communicating with saidopening in said projection and forming an angle therewith.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said first member isremovably mounted on said refrigeration unit.

H. The combination set forth in claim 10 including bolts for retainingsaid first member on said refrigeration unit,

said first member having portions thereof cutaway to provide access tosaid bolts.

12. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and secondmember comprises coupling members adapted to be attached to tubes.

13. The combination set forth in claim ll wherein said retaining ring ismade of material having substantially rectangular cross section.

1. In a quick connecting coupling, the combination comprising a firstmember having an opening therethrough providing a fluid passage, saidfirst member having a noncircular recess at one end of said opening, asecond member having a fluid passage therethrough, said second memberhaving a projection with an external configuration, a portion of saidexternal configuration having the noncircular cross section of saidrecess in said first member and being adapted to be engaged therein,sealing means between said opening and said projection of said secondmember, said first member having spaced peripheral grooves a portion ofwhich communicate with the opening therethrough and are arrangedtransversely thereto, said second member having an annular peripheralgroove therein adapted to be aligned with said spaced peripheral grooveswhen the members are engaged, a retaining ring having spaced legspositioned in said spaced grooves of said first member and havingportions thereof extending into said peripheral groove of said secondmember, said retaining ring having an encircling portion surrounding theprojection and interposed between the first member and the secondmember, said retaining ring including connecting portions extending fromthe ends of said encircling portion to the ends of the legsrespectively.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein saidprojection includes a generally cylindrical end portion and an outwardlytapered portion extending to said noncircular portion.
 3. Thecombination set forth in claim 2 wherein said sealing means comprisesflexible sealing rings interposed between the cylindrical portion ofsaid second member and a mating cylindrical portion of said firstmember.
 4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the noncircularrecess and the noncircular portion are polygonal.
 5. The combination setforth in claim 1 wherein said peripheral groove in said projection has agenerally cylindrical base and sidewalls at generally right angles tosaid base.
 6. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said portionof said legs which engages the peripheral groove are arcuate.
 7. Thecombination set forth in claim 1 wherein said encircling portion of saidretaining ring has spaced ends, the ends of said encircling portionbeing spaced from one another a distance less than the diameter of thebase of the peripheral groove in said projection.
 8. The combination setforth in claim 7 wherein said noncircular recess and noncircular portionof said projection are hexagonal.
 9. The combination set forth in claim1 wherein said first member is mounted on a refrigeration unit, saidsecond member comprising a refrigeration valve including a valve bodyextending at an angle to said projection, said valve body having a fluidpassage therein communicating with said opening in said projection andforming an angle therewith.
 10. The combination set forth in claim 9wherein said first member is removably mounted on said refrigerationunit.
 11. The combination set forth in claim 10 including bolts forretaining said first member on said refrigeration unit, said firstmember having portions thereof cutaway to provide access to said boLts.12. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and secondmember comprises coupling members adapted to be attached to tubes. 13.The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining ring is madeof material having substantially rectangular cross section.